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E36 (1991 - 1999) The E36 chassis 3-Series BMW was a huge hit among driving enthusiasts from the first moment the car hit the pavement. The E36 won numerous awards over the years it was produced and is still a favorite of many BMW enthusiasts to this day! -- View the E36 Wiki

Hi guys, I have a '96 328is. Live in Connecticut (I'm 2nd owner, 1st owner also lived local) along the coast so I get snow, rain, heat, salt, etc.

Rust is starting to bubble along the rear passengter wheel well. And a little at the edge of the trunk lid. A local shop quoted $500 for the wheel well - they would cut out the rust and put a plate behind it, fill in the cut-out part & paint it and make it match the rest of the car. Is it worth fixing? Will I be doing this to 10 other areas of the car in the next couple years? I've had the car for 8 years now and don't mind spending money to keep it running but don't want to put $3k to keep it looking decent but also don't want to drive a rust box. Suggestions? Thanks!

Move, buy a new car, or drive a rust box. Those are your only options.

This is what happens in New England... Car becomes Rusty, your best bet is to move on.
Soon it will be the frame, then the hood, brake lines..... and on and on. Sorry to see a E36 go, but rust is a good car killer up here.

I think it all comes down to what the car is worth. or maybe worth to you. If you go to sell it goes from maybe above average condition to just average and the value will be reflected.

$500 maybe not a lot for the type of repair you are talking about in only two spots, but I would look much more closely. and look inside wheel wells as well especially in the rear.

There are lots of DIYs out there for these types of repairs. I recall one from a guy who had a old 6 series. Came out ok. Clean off the rust with wire brush down to bare metal. Look inside wheel well also because i am sure there is rust in there too. Then you treat it with rust convertor and then bondo. If rust repair is handled well you can have many more rust free years from the car at least to the point that you think you are driving a rust box.

I recently had my rear arches repainted due to rust. I had the car resprayed just under 2 years ago and the guy who was supposed to remove the rust from the rear arches (only looked tiny) didn't do a thorough job of it. He welded a small patch over the affected area but the actual rust was caused by rot in the inner wheel arch rusting through from behind. It came back through a few weeks ago.

This time I repaired it myself. I cut the outer arch out in small sections till no more rust was behind. This meant I had to cut away sections of the inner arch back to clean metal, then weld plates in. I then welded repair panels to the outside. I went to town on the rust removal, making sure I removed the lot. All joints were sealed and the inner arches have been sprayed with engine oil then waxoil to prevent any rust returning... I got the paintwork done by a guy for a very good price. It doesn't have to be expensive if you can do the prep yourself. It is also very satisfying knowing you have got rid of a nasty thing such as rust properly.